Page 11 of Risky Business

HAWK

Afew weeks later, I’m dealing with more fall out from Bent’s retirement when Josh sticks his head in my office door. “Riley Jamison has been trying to call you. Your ringer must be turned off.”

I dig around and can’t find my fucking phone. “I can’t find it.” I slam my hand down on the desktop.

“Here, use mine while I go track yours.” Josh throws me his phone. “Riley’s number is the last one who called me.” I know Tia speaks to Josh frequently, but I had no idea her mother had his number.

I glance down and realize it’s Tia’s phone that called Josh last. I hit the button to return the call while my heart pounds away in my chest.

“Hello,” Riley answers.

“Where’s Tia?” I bark, unable to control the emotions tearing through me. “Is she okay?”

“Calm down, Hawk,” Riley orders me. “She’s going to be okay. We’re at the emergency room.”

“Text me the address. I’m on the way.” I rush out and shout orders to Josh, “Cancel all my meetings for today and tomorrow and let my siblings know I’m going to the hospital. And find me a goddamn phone.”

I don’t give him time to respond as I step into the waiting elevator. When I arrive at the hospital, I realize I don’t remember a moment of the ride over. Let her be okay has been playing on a constant loop through my mind, obliterating all other thoughts.

“I need to know where Tia Jamison is,” I growl to the front desk clerk. I’ve been biding my time over the last few weeks, trying to find the right moment to give Tia the engagement ring I bought the first week we met. Now, I’m ready to kick my own ass for waiting.

“Hawk.” Cash walks up and places his hand on my arm. “Come this way.”

“Is she okay?” I grab the front of his shirt. I don’t care if I look like a wimp.

“She’s going to be fine.” He smiles before grabbing me by the throat. As my back hits the cold hospital wall, I stare into his eyes and see rage building.

I wasn’t expecting that. “What the fuck?”

“That’s what I’d like to know,” he roars and gives me a shake. “I told you not to knock up my daughter before you put your goddamn ring on her finger.”

As his words penetrate, I feel my knees buckle and my soon-to-be father-in-law holds me up so I don’t end up on my ass. He shoves me into a plastic waiting room chair and I collapse. “Thank you. No telling what kind of germs I’d find on the hospital linoleum floor.” I’m babbling like a moron, but I can’t stop myself.

“Cash.” Riley rushes over. “I told you not to hit him.” She smacks his shoulder.

“I didn’t hit him,” Cash huffs. “I just choked him a tiny bit.”

“Thank God.” Riley relaxes a little. “My future son-in-law can’t have a black eye in his wedding photos.”

This whole family is nuts, but I love them all. “Can you guys fight about this later?” I manage to stand on my shaky legs. “I need to see my girl.”

Cash and Riley lead me to Tia’s room. “Hawk,” Tia calls to me. I see red when I get a good look at the bruise marring my kitten’s beautiful face.

“Are you okay?” I rush over and sit on the bed next to her. “What happened?”

“I met my mom for lunch, and the waiter walked by carrying fish on his tray.” She shudders. “Evidently, I’m not going to be able to eat fish for the next eight months or so.”

I blink, trying to process what she’s saying.

“You knocked up my little girl and she passed out in the restaurant.” Cash interprets Jamison woman speak for me.

“Are you okay?” I’ve asked the question several times now and no one has given me a good answer. I need to know my little kitten is alright.

“I’m fine.” Tia pats my arm. “The doctor ran some tests to make sure my spill didn’t hurt the baby. He said I could probably go home tonight as long as I take it easy.”

“Thank God.” For the first time since Josh knocked on my door earlier, I take a full breath. “I’m going to keep you safe,” I promise her. “You won’t be out of my sight ever again.” My girl will just have to get used to having me as her shadow. I can only take one scare like that and survive.

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